Toronto

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Toronto is a city full of hipsters and Asians, but if you have to live in Canada it probably has some of the best shopping around. The music scene is fine. it's a major media centre for most of Anglophone Canada. Drugs are easy enough to get. And the mayor is a joke. There are three universities, a billion colleges and a design school. It's surrounded by suburbs. The suburbs have the area code 905. The city of Toronto uses the area codes 416 and 647. If someone tells you that they live east of Scarborough or West of Etobicoke or North of Downsview, he or she is probably a 905er. He or she is probably a second-generation immigrant, he or she probably has shopped at Square One for his or her entire life and he or she probably aspires to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer or stock monkey. The downtown core (East of Os, west of Parliament) are home to dozens of quasi-successful PYTs, but always remember: the people who are successful in Toronto are the people who couldn't make it in New York.

SHOPPING

Fast fashion This section let you know which locations of which stores will offer you the best variety of whatever it is you're looking for. It will also tell you that Toronto doesn't have a Uniqlo. Street-wear Where can you get those strapbacks and sick kicks? Here. Consignment/vintage Some of the best thrift stores and buy-back stores in the city High End Well-curated, well-made designer pieces Mixed A list of hit-and-miss stores that are sometimes worth checking for treasures, but usually have nothing

FAST FASHION

Locations are ranked in square brackets

• Topman/Topshop [inside the Bay at Yonge/Queen W, Yorkdale]
• Zara [Queen West, Bloor, Eaton]
• Aritzia [Bloor, Eaton, Queen West]
• H&M [They are all the same, but the Eaton Centre has the most fitting rooms]
• UO [Queen West, Yonge/Dundas, Yonge/Eglinton]
• Joe Fresh [Jarvis/Queen's Quay, Queen/Portland, Church Carlton]
• American Apparel [Queen W, Yonge/Dundas, Bloor]

INDIE BOUTIQUES

• Nomad
• TNT
• Over the Rainbow
• Dutil
• Gravity Pope
• Jonathan + Olivia
• Lavish & Squalor
• Lost & Found
• Bicyclette
• Charlie
• TSOQ
• Coal Miner's Daughter
• The Future of Frances Watson
• Stolen Riches
• Monocle

LOCAL DESIGNERS

Shit-tier: The stores that are a common beginner's trap, and should be avoided. Often have poor build quality, fit, and just look plain bad.

Mall-tier/Fast Fashion: Good for basics; t-shirts, underwear, socks, etc. Recommended for poorfags. Buy sparsely and do NOT build a large wardrobe with these stores.

Low-tier: Bit more pricey, but at this stage odds are you'll be dressed much better than people around you. Build quality is a cut above mall tier. Tumblr-core usually fits around here.

Medium-tier: Some entry level designer pieces, and at this point the clothes are very "nice". Quality menswear/streetwear often fits in this category. Fit and build quality are high.

High-tier: High fashion, designer pieces. Top tier menswear as well as some light gothninja pieces can be found here.

Artisanal-tier: Hand-made with skill that approaches that of an artist. This has nothing to do with design and everything to do with production methods. A boring design done fully by hand (example: a full bespoke two button suit) is 'artisianal'. Many designers source their clothing from artisans, but not all designer clothing is 'artisianal'.

TIPS

You don't need a Canada Goose jacket. It doesn't get cold enough here.

SEE ALSO

Stores in Canada